What is an Environmental Economist?
Position Description Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.
A Day in the Life of an Environmental Economist
- Write social, legal, or economic impact statements to inform decision makers for natural resource policies, standards, or programs.
- Demonstrate or promote the economic benefits of sound environmental regulations.
- Develop environmental research project plans, including information on budgets, goals, deliverables, timelines, and resource requirements.
- Perform complex, dynamic, and integrated mathematical modeling of ecological, environmental, or economic systems.
- Prepare and deliver presentations to communicate economic and environmental study results, to present policy recommendations, or to raise awareness of environmental consequences.
- Develop systems for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting environmental and economic data.
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Skills Needed to be an Environmental Economist
When polled, Environmental Economists say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Other Environmental Economist Job Titles
- Environmental Economist
- Principal Associate
- Ecological Economist
- Resource Economist
- Senior Economist
Environmental Economist Employment Estimates
There were about 21,300 jobs for Environmental Economist in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,300 new jobs for Environmental Economist by 2026. The BLS estimates 1,600 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Environmental Economist are Alabama, Louisiana, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Wyoming, West Virginia, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does an Environmental Economist Make?
The average yearly salary of an Environmental Economist ranges between $58,130 and $182,560.
Environmental Economists who work in District of Columbia, Virginia, or Maryland, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Environmental Economists in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $103,740 |
| Alaska | $85,970 |
| Arizona | $93,350 |
| Arkansas | $75,380 |
| California | $124,430 |
| Colorado | $104,350 |
| Connecticut | $95,450 |
| Delaware | $86,850 |
| District of Columbia | $134,260 |
| Florida | $105,230 |
| Georgia | $111,570 |
| Hawaii | $98,100 |
| Idaho | $61,130 |
| Illinois | $108,690 |
| Indiana | $84,740 |
| Iowa | $87,530 |
| Kansas | $72,600 |
| Louisiana | $103,070 |
| Maryland | $116,870 |
| Massachusetts | $117,680 |
| Michigan | $90,040 |
| Minnesota | $81,720 |
| Mississippi | $75,450 |
| Missouri | $112,240 |
| Montana | $89,980 |
| Nebraska | $81,010 |
| Nevada | $79,170 |
| New Hampshire | $74,570 |
| New Jersey | $100,500 |
| New Mexico | $87,680 |
| New York | $127,520 |
| North Carolina | $81,470 |
| Ohio | $125,490 |
| Oklahoma | $76,500 |
| Oregon | $87,420 |
| Pennsylvania | $87,630 |
| South Carolina | $68,550 |
| Tennessee | $83,350 |
| Texas | $106,480 |
| Utah | $88,280 |
| Vermont | $96,620 |
| Virginia | $126,080 |
| Washington | $95,010 |
| West Virginia | $68,430 |
| Wisconsin | $80,070 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Environmental Economists
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Environmental Economists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- MySQL
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- SAS
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- Minitab
- C
- StataCorp Stata
- Wolfram Research Mathematica
- Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
- Insightful S-PLUS
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Aptech Systems GAUSS
Becoming an Environmental Economist
What education is needed to be an Environmental Economist?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Environmental Economists Are Employed
Environmental Economists work in the following industries:
References:
Image Credit: Bernard Ladenthin via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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